Your Scuba BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) allows you to adjust buoyancy throughout the dive as well as hold your dive kit together.
It basically allows you to safely ascend and descend from your dive. It also helps maintain neutral buoyancy and keep you streamline, preventing you from crashing into the bottom or coral. That’s why it’s an important piece of dive equipment and consider to be part of the core dive gear.
BCD’s aren’t cheap and comes in different styles, sizes, and features to choose from.
So, how do you know what’s the best Scuba BCD for you?
We have done most of the work for you and created this guide to help you make the right choice, as well as a comparison chart and review of the best models.
Let’s Get Started …
What Is The Best Scuba BCD?
The best scuba BCD for you will significantly depend on your diving style, skill level, and where you will be doing most of your diving. For this reason, we have organized our reviews by styles to make your choice a lot easier to find the BCD that right for you.
If you’re still unsure what to look for in a new BCD, read our detailed buying guide below.
10 Best Scuba BCD for 2022: Comparison Chart
Below you will find a comparison chart with our pick of the 10 best scuba BCD. Use it to quickly compare still and their most important features. Because lift capacity may vary by size, the values shown below are based on size medium.
Computer | Price | Style | Lift Capacity | Integrated Weights | Trim Weight Pockets | Check Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$ | Jacket Style | 33.7 Lbs/15.29 Kg | ||||
$$ | Jacket Style | 29Lbs/13 Kg | 2 | |||
$$ | Back-Inflated | 29.2Lbs/13.2Kg | Optional | 2 | ||
$$ | Back-Inflated | 41 Lbs/18.6 Kg | 2 | |||
$$$ | Back-Inflated | 36lbs/16.3KG | 2 | |||
$ | Jacket Style | 24 Lbs/10.89 Kg | 2 | |||
$$ | Jacket Style | 22.5 Lbs/10.2Kg | ||||
$$$ | Back-Inflated | 44Lbs/20Kg | 2 | |||
$$$ | Back-Inflated | 35 Lbs/15.9 Kg | 2 | |||
$$ | Back-Inflated | 35 Lbs/15.9 Kg | 2 |
Best Jacket-Style BCD
This is the most popular style for recreational diving. It fits more like a vest and inflates in the rear, side, and front. This makes them very stable on the surface and very comfortable underwater. Below are our best picks for the best Jacket-Style BCD.
Cressi Start Pro 2.0
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Jacket-Style |
Weight Integrated | Yes - 20 lbs. (9 kg) |
Trim Weights | No |
Lift Capacity | 33.7 Lbs/15.29 Kg (MD) |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 4 Plastic |
Pockets | 2 w/Hook & Loop Closure |
Best for | Beginners and Affordability |
This is a great moderately priced BCD. There is not too many bells and whistles to be confusing, but it had enough pockets, D-ring, and adjustment to accommodate the necessities and still have integrated weights. The fit was comfortable, it had good inflation, very balance and stable.
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Read Full Review: Cressi Start Pro 2.0 BCD: A Budget-Friendly Option
Sherwood Avid
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Jacket-Style |
Weight Integrated | Yes - 20 lbs/9 kg (M,L,& XL) |
Trim Weights | Yes - 10 lbs/ 4.5 kg |
Lift Capacity | 29 lbs./13 kg (MD) |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 6 Stainless Steel |
Pockets | 2 Zippered & 1 Hook and Loop |
Best for | Beginner To Intermediate Divers |
The Sherwood Avid is a great BCD with plenty of lift, and options on how to carry your weights. The zippered pocket was great to take down my cellphone housing. The trim weight pockets on the back is a really nice feature. My "back-inflated" BC would tip me forward on the surface, but this BCD allows me to stay up right and even lean back wile on the surface.
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Read Full Review: Sherwood Avid Review: The Best BCD From Sherwood
Scubapro Equator
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Jacket-Style |
Weight Integrated | Yes - 14.7 lbs (6.66 kg) |
Trim Weights | No |
Lift Capacity | 22.5lbs. (10.2 kg) |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 6 Stainless Steel |
Pockets | 2 Zippered Closure |
Best for | Recreational/Travel |
The Scubapro Equator fits very nicely. However, I found the Octo pocket slightly difficult to use in the middle of the dive. But, the ability to fold it up make it a great choice for traveling.
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Read Full Review: Scubapro Equator BCD Review: Lightweight Comfortable Performance
Best Back-Inflated BCD
Back-inflated BCDs generally referred to as wing BCDs, come with an air bladder that inflates only in the back on either side of the tank — resembling wings. These are more streamlined and provide better horizontal positioning underwater, but are not very stable on the surface. These are more preferred by advanced recreational divers and technical divers for their incredible lift capacity and freedom of movement. Below is our pick of the best Back-Inflated BCD on the market today.
Zeagle Ranger
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Back-Inflated |
Weight Integrated | Yes - 36 lbs / 16.33 kg |
Trim Weights | Yes - 16 lbs. / 7.26 kg |
Lift Capacity | 44 lbs. / 20 kg) |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 6 Stainless Steel |
Pockets | 2 Zippered Utility |
Best for | Experience Recreational or Tech Divers |
The Zeagle Ranger is a quality BC. It has enough D-rings for me to clip on two of everything, plus a pony tank. I am very happy that I bought this BC. I am writing this review after using it for the last 2 year with about 60 dives on this BC.
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Read Full Review: Zeagle Ranger LTD BCD Review: A Solid Technical and Recreational BCD
Hollis HD 200
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Back-Inflated |
Weight Integrated | Yes - 20 lbs. / 9 kg) |
Trim Weights | Yes - 10 lbs. / 4.5kg |
Lift Capacity | 45 lbs. / 20.4 kg (L/XL) |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 9 Stainless Steel |
Pockets | 2 Zippered |
Best for | Combination of TECH/REC features |
I fell in love with this heavy duty BCD. It fits just right and is a work horse. There are plenty of d rings for all my accessories. However, the horse shoe air bladder design can trap air on one side. Once you are aware to this, you will find that it's easy to use. My favorite BCD so far.
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Zeagle Stiletto
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Back-Inflated |
Weight Integrated | Yes - 24 lbs. / 10.9 kg |
Trim Weights | Yes - 16 lbs. / 7.26 kg |
Lift Capacity | 35 lbs. / 15.9 kg |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 5 Stainless Steel |
Pockets | 2 Zippered |
Best for | Warm and temperate water diving |
I have done over 400 dive with this BCD and think it's amazing. It is Lightweight and easy to travel with, but tough enough to take a beating. It works great in both warm and cold water and fits very comfortably. Very durable design, if
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Read Full Review: Zeagle Stiletto Review: A Rugged Travel And Local Diving BCD
Best BCD for Travel
These BCDs are designed explicitly for the traveling diver. They are generally made from lighter materials, dry fast, and are designed to be able to pack easily. In order, to make them lighter and more compact they might lack some features and comfort.
Scubapro Hydros Pro
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Back-Inflated |
Weight Integrated | Yes - 10.957 lbs / 4.97 kg |
Trim Weights | Yes - 9 lbs. / 4 kg |
Lift Capacity | 36lbs/16.3Kg |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 4 Stainless Steel |
Pockets | Modular/add-on |
Best for | Those who dive at home and abroad |
Recently upgraded my old BC and this is Amazing. I has a super low profile, adjusting buoyancy control is easy, and the ability to customize to the BC is a nice touch. I put 2 1lbs in each trip pockets and it feels great. I can see myself diving with this BCD for many years.
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Read Full Review: Scubapro Hydros Pro BCD Review: A Modern Scuba Solution
Cressi Travelight
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Jacket-Style |
Weight Integrated | 20 lbs. / 9 kg |
Trim Weights | 2 Pockets (10 lbs. / 4.5 kg) |
Lift Capacity | 20.2 lbs. / 9.2 kg (MD) |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 4 Alloy |
Pockets | 2 Zippered |
Best for | Travel BCD that does not sacrifice on features |
this is the second Travelight BCD I have purchase in the past 5 years, I am a big fan. This BCD is everything it claims to be. The best feature for me is the ability to fold up the BCD and it's lightweight, which makes it great for travel. For the price, it is a excellent comfortable and functional BCD.
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Scubapro LiteHawk
Specification:
Manufacturer | |
Style | Back-Inflated |
Weight Integrated | Optional |
Trim Weights | 2 Pockets |
Lift Capacity | 29.2Lbs/13.2Kg |
Dump Valves | 3 |
D-Rings | 4 Aluminum |
Pockets | 2 |
Best for | Those how travel to dive |
When your trying to save weight (as in traveling), This is the BC to go with. It only weights 5 pound dry, and gives you complete freedom because its flotation is in the back. I used the trim pocket to dial in my trim perfectly -- no matter what sized dive tank I used or additional gear attached to by BC. I only problem I have is that the D rings are about 1 inch instead of the standard 2 inches.
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Beginner’s Guide To Buying A Scuba BCD
Buying a new BCD can be daunting at first glance. There is a lot to consider when choosing the BCD that’s right for you. A few things you would want to consider are your budget, the style that works best for your type of diving, weight capacity, lift capacity, fit, and comfort.
Types of BCD
There are basically 3 different styles of BCD. There is no right or wrong style. The one you choose will depend on your level of diving and personal preference.
Jacket-Style BCD – This is the most common style of BCD. When inflated it wraps air around your waist, back, and shoulder. They are very stable on the surface of the water, making them a great choice for beginner divers. However, an improper fit can cause squeezing when overinflated.
Back-Inflated BCDs – As the name implies. Only an air balder on the back is inflated, which frees up space in the front allowing the diver to move more freely when fully inflated. While they are great at keeping you horizontal underwater, on the surface it can be difficult to stay vertical when inflated. These are great for more advanced diving or those transitioning over to technical diving.
Back Plate and Winged BCDs – These styles of BCD are generally preferred by technical divers but are now rising in popularity among recreational divers. They are modular allowing you to customize your BCD to the type of diving you will be doing. They are also able to accommodate multiple dive cylinders and allow you to choose an infinite combination between the back-plate and wing system.
Other Style of BCDs
Sidemount – Evolving from cave diving, Sidemount diving has recently become popular. It allows you to carry your dive tanks on your side or under your arms. They are very popular with technical divers because it allows you to get into tight spaces. It’s also great for divers with a bad back because it shifts all the weight from the back to the sides.
Women’s BCD – As more women because divers, manufactures are now designing BCDs that specifically contours to the female body. These are generally smaller, lighter, and the shoulder straps tend to curve away from the chest or completely removed. The overall length of the back is also reduced so the dive tank does not rest on the base of the spine.
Travel BCD – For the intrepid explorer, these are lightweight and can be packed down small, however, they are not as durable as standard BCs as the material used is a lot lighter than the normal ones. The material is robust enough for regular use though, and it is super easy to pack. Just bear in mind that you won’t be able to carry lots of extra weights and most travel BCDs don’t have enough pockets or clips to carry much extra equipment, so if you are a diver who likes their accessories, then perhaps this is not a great choice for you!
Lift Capacity
Now that you’ve decided which style works best for your type of diving. You need to know if your BCD will have enough lift capacity to keep you floating on the surface while wearing all your dive gear. For recreational diving, most BCDs have enough lift capacity to keep you on the surface. However, when you start to dive with multiple cylinders and extra tools for commercial or technical diving, you will require extra lift.
Fit and Comfort
A BCD should fit you like a comfortably–fitting coat; it should allow you to move freely without binding or slipping.
The ideal BCD fit includes:
- Snug, but not tight around your mid-section and arms/shoulders
- Straps should cinch across your body comfortably, but shouldn’t have slop or feel constrictive
- Hoses and valves should be easily accessible and within reach.
Integrated Weights
This allows you to take your dive weights in pouches and install them directly onto your BCD. This means you don’t have to wear a separate dive belt with weights strapped around your waist. Most integrated weight systems as designed to be easily dumped in case of an emergency.
Trim Weight Pockets
These are generally located at the back of the BCD on either side of the cylinder. These allow you to move some weights away from the front and distribute them around the BCD to get a nice horizontal position underwater.
Pockets
You also want to make sure that your BCD has enough pockets for the dive that you will be doing. If you’re planning on doing most of your diving in tropical waters, one or two pockets will be okay to carry things like your Fish ID and sales. For diving in colder water or technical diving, you will probably want to carry more equipment that might not be able to fit in one or two pockets. That’s where D-Rings come in.
Number of D-Rings
D-rings are used to attach and carry additional dive gear to your BCD, like SMBs and reel or spare mask. Basically, stuff that you cannot always fit in a tight pocket. D-rings over your shoulders are often pre-bent outwards to make attaching clips much easier, while does near the waits normally are straight and lay flat against the BCD.
How to Maintain Your BCD?
- 1Be sure to rinse your BCD though with fresh water after every use. You should rinse outside as well as flush out the inside.
- 2You should let the BCD dry completely after rinsing. Keep it out of directly sunlight and heat as much as possible.
- 3Store away in a cool dry place partially inflated. Remember to remove all the weights from the pockets.
What is your favorite BCD?
Do you have a favorite BCD? What do you like about it? Let us know in the comments below.
Continue Reading
Do you want more scuba diving gear recommendations? continue reading these articles below:
Dive Computer | Scuba Regulator | Wetsuits | Scuba BCD | Dive Knife | Dive Mask | Scuba Fins